Chapter 127

Chapter 127: Briggs We followed Kingston through the thick brush. He seemed to know exactly where he was going, which was a bit uncanny since he was eight the last time he was here. But Theo said to watch him, so I would.

I had to admit, this wasn’t the same man I met months ago when I tracked Ayla down. That Kingston was calculating but genuine. On that day, there was no denying that he cared about Ayla.

This Kingston...

Well, this man was still calculating. But he was less stable. I could still see the affection for Ayla in the concern he carried, but there was something more determined in him. I didn’t trust it.

“The tunnel entrance is this way,” he said, leading us away from the packhouse ruins. “We won’t have to go far.”

“Where do the tunnels lead to?” I asked. “And how are you so sure they’re still intact?”

He paused for a moment, looking around the area.

“I’m not,” he replied. “But they survived a couple of millennia before this, so I think our odds are good.”

“So, the packhouse was built on an existing structure?” I asked, thinking about our own packhouse in Greytooth.

“It’s more like it was continuously renovated,” he clarified. “Remember, the Dominis family is the oldest werewolf bloodline. They ruled from here from the beginning.” He glanced back at me. “At least, that’s the history I was taught.”

We came along a dip in the terrain and I could hear water running nearby. Kingston leaned down and brushed leaves and debris away, revealing what looked like part of a stone wall.

“It’s this way,” he said.

The dip turned into a steep incline as we followed it, stopping along a cutoff above a stream. The stone wall was easier to discern here except for moss and some vines. We didn’t have to follow it far before it turned into the hillside, creating an entryway.

We headed into the tunnel. It wasn’t long before we came to a heavy metal door.

Which was locked.

“Should I even bother to ask if you have the key?” I said, trying to keep the irritation from my voice. “This is a dead end.”

“Hush,” Kingston barked.

He turned toward the wall and closed his eyes. Taking a few slow deep breaths. When he opened them, he reached up and counted the stones. One of them shifted. He removed it and, taking a second to what looked like to pray, he stuck his hand in the hole. With a sigh of relief, he pulled out a key.

“How did you know that would be there?” I inquired as he stuck the key in the lock.

“This is how Jack got us out the night of the massacre,” he said solemnly.

It took some effort, but the key finally turned, and I helped Kingston shoulder the door open. It opened into more stone tunnels full of cobwebs. Tree roots had found their way between the stones, hanging sporadically from the walls and ceiling.

“But you weren’t sure it would still be there,” I commented. “Why?”

Kingston remained quiet at first. The tunnel was now pitch black, too dark for our night vision, so we switched to flashlights.

“My mother went back for my father,” he said quietly before our light came on. “I didn’t know if she came this way or not. She never came back.”

***

Theo We were back at the front of the ruin. The entrance was completely blocked off, but I knew there had to be a way in from here. I walked the area, looking for windows or holes that were passable. Sniffing the air for any sign of Ayla’s real scent.

‘Let me,‘ Kieran asked.

‘Not yet,‘ I said. ‘Besides, you didn’t catch the scent was fake the first time.‘

I kept my tone light. It wasn’t intended to blame him but to give him some levity. His desperation was getting overwhelming. It was getting harder to keep a clear head.

That’s it.

I froze, smelling the air near a blocked window frame.

There was nothing.

I stepped in closer, focusing my sense of smell on that area specifically.

Nothing. Not even the smell of dirt or moss.

“This is it,” I said to Pierce and the others.

I climbed up to the opening. There was a beam blocking it that seemed immovable, but when I tried, it didn’t take much effort.

Behind it was a dark, narrow passageway that turned into the building. I waved for everyone to follow but to stay quiet.

It was dark inside, but nothing my wolf’s eyes couldn’t handle. We proceeded cautiously. Between the stability of the structure and having no idea where Harry could be, we couldn’t afford to make a mistake.

As if on queue, I heard a snap and then a rumble.

The walls shook and I heard crashing from behind me. I turned to see the three warriors we had with us retreating as the ceiling came down. Pierce and I were forced back but were quickly stopped as rocks began to fall from the other direction. We covered our heads and moved out of the way as best we could.

After a few very long seconds, everything became quiet. The air was thick with dust, and it was pitch black. All I could hear was the sound of Pierce and me breathing heavily. I reached out to my men on the other side and breathed a sigh of relief.

“They okay over there?” Pierce asked.

“Yeah,” I confirmed. “Some bumps and bruises but they’ll live.”

Pierce’s flashlight lit up, illuminating the rubble around us. I retrieved my light as well and started to assess our situation. I looked up at the ceiling and noticed something peculiar.

“I think the first fall was structural,” I said, then pointed my light to the top of the second barricade. “I don’t think this one was.”

Pierce followed my gaze, seeing what I saw.

”

“Yeah, I think you’re right,” Pierce said. “The asshole has the place booby–trapped.”

“Warn the other group,” I told him. “I’m going to see if I get clear a path up to the second floor.”